“Matter For United Nations”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27317, 17 February 1950, Page 5

“Matter For United Nations”

The Prime Minister, Mr Attlee, said at Lincoln, England, today that Mr Churchill’s proposal for discussions with Russia on atomic control was a “matter ik the hands of the United Nations.” /He added: “It is all a very difficult subject, and I cannot make any further pronouncement on it until I have talked the matter over with the Foreign Secretary, Mr Ernest Bevin. Whether there will be any use in making another approach is a matter for consideration. ■ “I do not rule out the suggestion which has been made by Mr Churchill but at the present moment it rests with the United Nations.” Mr Attlee added that he took action almost as soon as he became Prime Minister. “I went across and saw the Americans and the Canadians on it,” he said. “Thereafter we have been unceasingly endeavouring to bring the whole thing under the control of the United Nations.” Britain Ready Britain would be ready to enter into discussions, on abolishing the possibility of war if Russia showed the slightest change in attitude, said Mr Ernest Bevin in an election broadcast tonight. Although making no direct reference to Mr Churchill’s call for a Big Three meeting, Mr Bevin said the problem of international control of atomic energy could not be solved by “ stunt ” proposals. “ We must continue to work for agreement through the United Nations Atomic Energy Committee,” he said. Mr Bevin said that Britain was in constant touch with the Americans on the problems of atomic energy. He added: “In view of the heavy responsibilities which rest with them, we must consult them at every step.” Speaking in deliberate, stolid tones, Mr Bevin said that every effort made by Britain and America to get international control had failed. “ Russia is a closed book, and at present her people are being more cut off than ever,’ he said, “but if peace is her objective, as it is ours, inspection and control of atomic energy is not too great a price to pay.”Mr Bevin added that the Labour Party would continue its foreign policy

of the past five years if re-elected. “We will try to build up security wherever we can, expand trade, give assistance where possible, and, if Russia shows the slightest change of attitude and indicates a readiness to settle these relationships and give the world complete peace, then we shall be ready to enter into discussions with the object of abolishing the possibility of war. enabling all nations to cooperate with one another,” said Mr Bevin. Labour Dilemma Mr Churchill’s call for Big Three talks to end the cold war has clearly presented the Labour Party with a first-class dilemma —and has tremendously stimulated the confidence of the Conservatives. A leading Conservative headquarters spokesman stated categorically: “We are going to win.” He based his view on the results of a nation-wide poll said to show a striking swing to the Tories, particularly in London, the Home Counties around the metropolis, the north-west, and to some extent the Midlands. The Times says: “Even if President Truman and the next British Prime Minister were to fly to Moscow to talk with Mr Stalin there would still remain the question of what they should discuss. Would it be v/iser to concentrate on one subject like the control of atomic energy, however hopeless that may appear, or to try to find some all-embracing formula ito cover the whole world and the full range of the cold war? , “Mr Churchill evidently puts his faith in the latter. He seeks a final settlement—the ending of the cold war by a single stroke. It is not easy to see how this could be done, although it is not necessarily impossible. If the attempt failed the position might be worse than before. A far more natural conclusion would then be that no compromise is possible and that both sides must prepare for war. Mr Churchill himself frankly recognises this possibility when he warns the Western Powers not to cast away their only shield of safety—that is, American superiority in atomic weapons—unless they c&n find something better, surer, and more likely to last.”